Cal Fire to suspend burn permits in San Diego and Imperial counties

EL CAJON – As the state and region continue the march toward summer and critical burn conditions, Cal Fire San Diego is suspending all burn permits for outdoor residential burning within the State Responsibility Area of San Diego and Imperial counties.

This suspension took effect Tuesday, June 8, and bans all residential outdoor burning of landscape debris such as branches and leaves. Since Jan. 1 of this year, Cal Fire and firefighters across the state have responded to over 1,700 wildfires, outpacing the 1,013 fires over the same time period last year.

“This year, there have already been roughly 1,700 opportunities for wildfire to impact communities across the state. Residents once again need to recognize that the threat is real and will only get worse until the region receives significant rain later in the year,” Tony Mecham, fire chief of Cal Fire San Diego County.

While outdoor burning of landscape debris by homeowners is no longer allowed, Cal Fire is asking residents to ensure that they are prepared for wildfires by maintaining a minimum of 100 feet of defensible space around every home and building on their property.

Here are some tips to help prepare homes and property:

· Clear all dead and or dying vegetation 100 feet from all structures.

· Create landscape with fire resistant and drought tolerant plants

· Find alternative ways to dispose of landscape debris like chipping or hauling it to a biomass energy or green waste facility

The suspension of burn permits for residential landscape debris does not apply to campfires within organized campgrounds or on private property. Campfires may be permitted if the campfire is maintained in such a manner as to prevent its spread to the wildland. A campfire permit can be obtained at local fire stations or online at http://PreventWildfireCA.org.

For additional information on how to create defensible space, as well as tips to prevent wildfires, visit http://www.ReadyForWildfire.org and hhtp://www.ReadySanDiego.org.

Submitted by Cal Fire.